Comprehensive Zoning Map Process 2020

The Comprehensive Zoning Map Process (CZMP) takes place every four years on an exact schedule specified in the County Code. Any citizen may request a zoning change on any property in Baltimore County, although the usual participants in the process are individual landowners, contract purchasers, community organizations, County staff, the Planning Board and the County Council.

The CZMP covers a period of approximately 12 months and results in zoning decisions that are reflected in a final log of issues. Ultimately, the County Council decides on each issue whether to retain the existing zoning or to enact a different zone(s) or district(s). Generally, each issue is a single property, but an issue may cover many adjoining properties and might even cover many hundreds of acres. The zoning on all properties which were not issues is reenacted without change.

CZMP 2020 starts with the public filing period that begins on September 3. Additional information about the process, including filing dates, fees and hearing schedules will be posted when available.

Warren Road Bridge Repairs Started

The Warren Road Bridge over Loch Raven Reservoir, which was closed in April, is under repair and work should be finished by the end of September, say Baltimore City engineers from the Department of Transportation. Thirty-six stringers, which are supporting beams that run parallel to traffic, will be replaced, and some repairs to the floor beams, which run perpendicular to traffic, are planned. As the decking is removed, Baltimore City’s engineers will inspect the structure and recommend additional repairs, as needed. As an adjunct to the ongoing repairs, Baltimore City is working on the design for a replacement bridge. Some funding is already in place. The new structure will be located in a somewhat different location or alignment that will allow traffic to use the old bridge while the new one is under construction. Plans are expected to be completed in 2021 and a new span is anticipated to be completed in 2025. Baltimore City is planning a public meeting to announce the details after the preliminary bridge studies are finished.

Information: Questions regarding the bridge’s condition, its repair schedule or current detours should be directed to Kathy Dominick of Baltimore City’s Department of Transportation at 410-361-9296 or email kathy.dominick.bcdot@gmail.com.

Sewer Project: The Jones Falls Structural Package 2

The Department of Public Works began a $3.9 million sewer rehabilitation job in April. The project will take a year to finish and is about seven percent complete.

Pleasantville Road Bridge

The Department of Public Works will rehabilitate the Pleasantville Road Bridge (Bridge B-0007) over Little Gunpowder Falls beginning in the late summer. Repairs include the replacement of the deck and protective traffic barriers. The structure will be closed to traffic during construction and vehicles will be detoured.

Jones Falls Large Diameter Sewer Rehabilitation Project

The Department of Public Works has begun a large-diameter sewer rehabilitation project, which includes relining, from an area north of Timonium Road to the Beltway. The job is expected to take about a year and will include lines near School Lane and Burton Avenue. It is now about 37 percent complete.

Springdale Water Tank

The Department of Public Works is repainting the elevated Springdale water tank at 906 Old Bosley Road in Cockeysville. Work on the tank, which has a capacity of one million gallons, began in September and is about 98 percent complete. The tank is now being refilled, say engineers, who add that the finished project is expected to cost about $800,000.

Water Main Replacement on York Road

Baltimore County is replacing a water main on York Road between Padonia Road and Wight Avenue. Contractors are replacing an old cast-iron main built in the 1930s that has failed frequently in the past decade. The project, which began in July 2018 and will cost about $14 million, is expected to take about two years to complete and is about 40 percent finished.

Bridge Near Third Mine Branch Reduced to One Lane

A nine-foot-long, concrete-slab bridge (Bridge B-0757) on Stablersville Road, just west of Graystone Road, is in need of repair and was reduced to one lane of traffic by Department of Public Works structural engineers more than two years ago. The bridge is scheduled to be repaired and County engineers have begun to scope out options.

Gores Mill Road Bridges

The concrete bridges that span Little Falls just south of the Morris Meadows Recreation Farm (Bridges B-0136, B-0137, B-0138 and B-0346) were constructed more than 80 years ago and need replacement or renovation. Work began in August 2017 and three have been completed. Bridge B-0346 should be completed by the summer. The project, estimated to cost $3.6 million, is 80 percent complete.

There are no Administrative Variances pending at the time of publication of this newsletter. Please visit the Zoning calendar for changes in District 3.

Development Meetings

Development Meetings include Community Input, Concept Plan, County Review, Development Review Committee and Hearing Officers Hearings. These hearings are up-to-date as of the publication of this newsletter and subject to change.

Zoning Hearings—143 Othoridge RoadDate and Time: Monday, June 17, 10 to 11 a.m.Case Number: 2019-0237-AProperty Location: South side of Othoridge Road, west of Warwick DriveLegal Owners: Theresa FosterVariance to permit parking a recreational vehicle in the side yard and situated nine feet into the front yard in lieu of the permitted eight feet to the rear of the front foundation wall.Hearing Location: Jefferson Building, 105 West Chesapeake Avenue, Room 205, Towson, Maryland 21204Information: Contact the Zoning Office at 410-887-3391.

Zoning Hearings—2403 Benson Mill RoadDate and Time: Monday, June 17, 11 a.m. to NoonCase Number: 2019-0285-AProperty Location: South side of Benson Mill Road, west of Yeoho RoadLegal Owners: Richard and Christina HombergVariance to approve a waiver for the location of a panhandle driveway or that the Director of Planning granted a waiver of the applicable requirement.Hearing Location: Jefferson Building, 105 West Chesapeake Avenue, Room 205, Towson, Maryland 21204Information: Contact the Zoning Office at 410-887-3391.

Zoning Hearings—1320 Providence RoadDate and Time: Thursday, June 20, 11 a.m. to NoonCase Number: 2019-0301-SPHProperty Location: West side of Providence Road at Seminary AvenueLegal Owners: Trustees of Providcare Meth Episcopal ChurchSpecial Hearing for a church hall and day care to comply to the fullest extent possible with Residential Transition Area use requirements.Hearing Location: Jefferson Building, 105 West Chesapeake Avenue, Room 205, Towson, Maryland 21204Information: Contact the Zoning Office at 410-887-3391.

Zoning Hearings—2918 Willoughby RoadDate and Time: Monday, June 24, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.Case Number: 2018-0040-SPHAProperty Location: Northeast side of Willoughby Road, northwest of School RoadLegal Owners: Nicholas MurraySpecial Hearing to determine whether or not the Administrative Law Judge should approve an existing detached accessory structure (garage) to be converted into an in-law dwelling unit.Variance to permit two existing detached accessory structures: a garage and a shed; the garage having a rear yard setback of two feet in lieu of the required 2.5 feet and the shed being located in the side yard with a setback of one foot in lieu of the required 2.5 feet in the rear yard.Hearing Location: Jefferson Building, 105 West Chesapeake Avenue, Room 205, Towson, Maryland 21204Information: Contact the Zoning Office at 410-887-3391.